Did a Famous D.C. Radio Host Get Booted for Knocking Radical Islam?

WMAL's popular radio host Fred Grandy, a former actor and U.S. Congressman, broadcast his final show last week.

You may remember Grandy from his Love Boat days.

According to Grandy, his wife, a frequent contributor to "The Grandy Group," was booted from the show for criticizing radical Islam. And Grandy himself was told by management to "really tone it down on the Islam stuff." As a result, Grandy resigned.

My wife and I have used our program over the last several months to warn about the spread of radical Islam at home and abroad. Last week, Catherine (known on the show as Mrs. Fred) delivered a very tough indictment against stealth jihad, and for her efforts she was told she was off the show. I then told management without Mrs. Fred at the microphone, I could not remain either and have resigned effective this morning.

Some are wondering whether the Council on American Islamic-Relations (CAIR), a Muslim advocacy group with radical ties, lobbied for the ouster of the Grandys. Grandy was not able to confirm whether WMAL bowed to such pressure, but he did remind us that CAIR has exerted its influence on WMAL in the past:

We do know, however, in 2005 representatives of CAIR in DC were successful in getting midmorning host Michael Graham fired for anti-Islamic statements he had made on the radio and TV.

According to Cliff Kincaid at Accuracy in Media, "Graham was fired from WMAL after describing Islam as a 'terrorist organization' on his program and refusing to apologize or modify the description."

CAIR communications director Ibrahim Hooper (born Doug Hooper) was apparently surprised by the news of Grandy's departure from the station and asked what evidence there was for the claim that CAIR was somehow responsible. I tried contacting CAIR's Ibrahim Hooper for comment, but have not heard back.

UPDATE [3.23pm]: I just spoke to CAIR's Ibrahim Hooper. He says that to his knowledge, CAIR has not been in touch with WMAL about Grandy, Grandy's wife, or Grandy's radio show. Hooper went on to say that he hasn't received reports about Grandy's (or Grandy's wife's) anti-Muslim rhetoric. As for those who are asserting that CAIR was connected with Grandy's resignation, Hooper said, “If somebody makes that assertion, it is incumbent upon them to provide evidence of their claim. It’s not up to me to refute it it’s up to them to provide evidence of it.”

Enter James Lafferty from the Virginia Anti-Shariah Task Force who says that he heard "from two very good sources that CAIR was involved in this and not only targeting Grandy but Sean Hannity."

Meanwhile, over in the lala land of the Washington Post, the news of Grandy's departure from the show was reported without mention of radical Islam:

The "Love Boat" star turned Iowa congressman turned morning drive-time talk-radio star - is leaving his gig as star of WMAL's (630 AM) "The Grandy Group." Grandy's ratings have lagged behind the station's other conservative hosts, and he has clashed with management for months over how to boost them.

Is Sean Hannity next up on the chopping block?

UPDATE [3.23pm]: WMAL posted this announcement on its website denying the claim that Fred Grandy was separated from WMAL for any of his Islam-related rhetoric:

WMAL did not terminate Fred Grandy's employment, and never had any intention to do so. Fred informed us on March 2 of his intention to resign from the station. To be clear, at no time has WMAL told Fred that he was not allowed to discuss his views on Islam over the air. In fact, he has done so on numerous occasions. Further, WMAL has not been contacted by any organization seeking to restrict his broadcasts.

Bryan Nehman continues to anchor our morning program and in the interim will be joined by several notable guest hosts and regular contributors. WMAL remains committed to its goal of providing a forum for discussing a broad spectrum of issues while delivering compelling programming including Chris Plante, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin.